and missed all of last season. Drafted in the 7th round in 2019 by the Colts, he has never played an NFL game. I have to wonder if he's ready to go and if his knee can withstand the heavy duties required of a center. My first thought was that he'd probably replace Pulley, but now I suspect a year or two on the PS until the Giants find a better option.
I really liked Haycraft and was disappointed that they let him go.
find a better option." Dear God, please let that be in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft. Forget the UDFAs ("priority" or otherwise), forget the conversion projects, forget the other-teams'-castoffs... Can we just draft a good, certified starting Center, please?
and missed all of last season. Drafted in the 7th round in 2019 by the Colts, he has never played an NFL game. I have to wonder if he's ready to go and if his knee can withstand the heavy duties required of a center. My first thought was that he'd probably replace Pulley, but now I suspect a year or two on the PS until the Giants find a better option.
I really liked Haycraft and was disappointed that they let him go.
find a better option." Dear God, please let that be in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft. Forget the UDFAs ("priority" or otherwise), forget the conversion projects, forget the other-teams'-castoffs... Can we just draft a good, certified starting Center, please?
I know that he's struggled so far but I haven't given up on Gates as the long term answer. Remember that he is new to the position, he hasn't played it in the pro's or college, and he didn't have any practice time at center prior to training camp where practices were limited.
We want to see Gates progress each week. If he does that then he will earn the starting job in 2021. I am confident that Lemieux will be the starting RG when Zeitler is gone. IMO the Giants don't think that Lemieux is an option at center because he had little to no practice time there in camp despite there being speculation that he would compete for the starting job.
If Gates doesn't show enough this season then center will be high on my draft wishlist. If a center is BPA on day two then the Giants should pull the trigger but I think that edge rusher, WR, and CB are bigger needs.
Javon's Draft Profile - ( New Window )
I really liked Haycraft and was disappointed that they let him go.
I really liked Haycraft and was disappointed that they let him go.
I think that Haycraft will be back at some point.
I know that he's struggled so far but I haven't given up on Gates as the long term answer. Remember that he is new to the position, he hasn't played it in the pro's or college, and he didn't have any practice time at center prior to training camp where practices were limited.
We want to see Gates progress each week. If he does that then he will earn the starting job in 2021. I am confident that Lemieux will be the starting RG when Zeitler is gone. IMO the Giants don't think that Lemieux is an option at center because he had little to no practice time there in camp despite there being speculation that he would compete for the starting job.
If Gates doesn't show enough this season then center will be high on my draft wishlist. If a center is BPA on day two then the Giants should pull the trigger but I think that edge rusher, WR, and CB are bigger needs.